What is cirrhosis?

The loss of the main functions of the liver is due to a chronic and irreparable damage to liver cells that are replaced by fibrous and scar tissue.

How cirrhosis occurs

Cirrhosis is caused by agents or toxins with the ability to provoke severe cellular damage of the hepatocyte or liver cell.

The agents most frequently implicated in the development of cirrhosis are the virus and Hepatitis B. Regarding the toxic more common are alcohol, some drugs used chronically and certain drugs or poisons. In recent years, the obesity it is being demonstrated as a cause of fatty liver cirrhosis.

Symptoms of cirrhosis

The initial phases of the disease that can be of months or years it can be asymptomatic. If this is not the case, the patient may present nonspecific symptoms such as:

• Asthenia
• Anorexy
• Weightloss
• Discomfort in the right hypochondrium (right anterior part of the abdomen, below the ribs).

The advanced phases of the disease are manifested by the presence of:

• Hepatomegaly or enlargement of the liver
• Splenomegaly or enlarged spleen
• Presence of skin lesions such as spider veins on the skin of the abdomen, telangiectasias on the cheekbones or redness of the palms of the hands.

Some complications derived from the disease are:

• Hepatic encephalopathy or alterations of the central nervous system due to accumulation of toxins in the blood
• Portal hypertension or increased pressure inside the portal vein that conditions the appearance of collateral venous circulation and esophageal varices.
• Ascites or accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity
• Peritonitis or infection of the peritoneal cavity

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis of cirrhosis is made by him in the consultation of the medical center or hospital. The diagnosis of the initial stages of the disease is based on the physical examination of the patient. Through the diagnostic tests indications of:

• Inflammation or impaired liver function
• Presence of toxins
• Hepatitis virus
• Enlargement of the liver and / or spleen (liver ultrasound)
• Presence of liver injury (liver ultrasound)

Advanced forms of the disease may require the use of more complex diagnostic studies What:

• Esophagogastroscopy when the presence of esophageal varices is suspected, the tomography
• MRI or Doppler ultrasound to study complications associated with the disease
• Liver biopsy to know the cause of the disease and the degree of involvement

Treatment of the disease

The bases of the treatment of liver cirrhosis are:

• Dietary hygiene measures: normal balanced diet, in some patients it is required to increase the protein intake in the diet. Abstinence in the consumption of alcohol, drugs and hepatotoxic substances. Regular moderate physical exercise.
• Regular medical check-up according to doctor's instructions responsible for the patient throughout the illness
• Pharmacological or surgical treatment for the control of complications associated with the disease such as the prevention of bleeding or rupture of esophageal varices
• Pharmacological treatment directed against the cause responsible for the disease in each patient such as the use of antivirals in cases of hepatitis B or C, contribution of vitamin complexes and folic acid in cirrhosis of alcoholic etiology, or administration of chelators in deposition diseases , and so on.
• Liver transplantation: in selected patients with advanced or decompensated disease.

Disease prevention

Preventive measures to avoid the spread of infection by the hepatitis B and C virus, avoid the abuse of alcohol and hepatotoxic substances, and control of body weight help prevent most cases of liver cirrhosis.

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